Surgical stapler with apparatus for adjusting staple height

ABSTRACT

A surgical stapling instrument including a staple sled which can be advanced and/or retracted relative to first and second jaw members, wherein the staple sled can be configured to deploy staples from a staple cartridge in one of the first and second jaw members. In at least one embodiment, the other of the first and second jaw members can include an anvil having at least one forming surface which can be configured to deform the staples as they are deployed from the staple cartridge. In at least one form of the invention, the anvil can be movably adjustable relative to the staple cartridge in order to adjust the distance in which the staples are deformed. In various embodiments, the anvil can be adjusted by a slidable adjusting plate and/or a rotatable cam.

BACKGROUND

i. Technical Field

The present invention relates to stapling instruments and, in variousembodiments, to a surgical stapling instrument for producing one or morerows of staples.

ii. Background of the Related Art

In recent years, there has been an increasing tendency for surgeons touse stapling instruments to suture body tissues such as a lung, anesophagus, a stomach, a duodenum and/or other organs in the intestinaltract. The use of an appropriate stapling instrument in many instancesmay perform a better job in less time and simplify previously difficultsurgical procedures such as gastrointestinal anastomoses. Previouslinear two and four row cutting staplers comprised cartridge-lessinstruments into which staples were individually hand-loaded. Otherprevious devices have included a presterilized disposable staple loadingunit and a cutting member which could be utilized for dividing thetissue and forming the rows of staples simultaneously. An example ofsuch a surgical stapler is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,499,591,entitled INSTRUMENT FOR PLACING LATERAL GASTROINTESTINAL ANASTOMOSES,which issued on Mar. 10, 1970, the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference herein.

A stapling instrument can include a pair of cooperating elongate jawmembers, wherein each jaw member can be adapted to be inserted into aninternal, tubular body organ to be anastomosed. In various embodiments,one of the jaw members can support a staple cartridge with at least twolaterally spaced rows of staples, and the other jaw member can supportan anvil with staple-forming pockets aligned with the rows of staples inthe staple cartridge. Generally, the stapling instrument can furtherinclude a pusher bar and knife blade which are slidable relative to thejaw members to sequentially eject staples from the staple cartridge viacamming surfaces on the pusher bar. In at least one embodiment, thecamming surfaces can be configured to activate a plurality of stapledrivers carried by the cartridge and associated with the individualstaples to push the staples against the anvil and form laterally spacedrows of deformed staples in the tissue gripped between the jaw members.In typical stapling instruments, however, the anvil is unmovablerelative to the staple cartridge once the jaw members have beenassembled together and the formed height of the staples cannot beadjusted. In at least one embodiment, the knife blade can trail thepusher bar and cut the tissue along a line between the staple rows.Examples of such stapling instruments are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,429,695, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, which issued on Feb. 7, 1984,the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by referenceherein.

In various embodiments, a typical stapling instrument can include firstand second jaw members which can be secured together by a latch, whereinthe latch can be moved between an open position, a partially-closedposition, and a closed position. In the open and partially-closedpositions of the latch, however, the first and second jaw members of atypical stapling instrument can be unintentionally detached from eachother, thereby requiring additional time to reassemble the jaw members.In certain circumstances, the detachment of the first and second jawmembers may expose a knife blade. In various circumstances, further tothe above, a stapling instrument can include an actuator knob extendingfrom the pusher bar which can be configured to be grasped by a surgeonand advanced distally to advance the pusher bar and knife blade withinthe staple cartridge. In certain circumstances, however, the actuatorknob can be advanced relative to a jaw member eventhough the first andsecond jaw members have not been assembled. Once assembled, in at leastone circumstance, the actuator knob, as it can extend outwardly from thesurgical instrument, can unintentionally contact tissue surrounding thesurgical site and, as a result, the tissue may impede the advancement ofthe actuator knob. In such circumstances, a surgeon may have to forcethe actuator knob past the tissue and/or re-position the staplinginstrument which can increase the time needed to complete the surgery.What is needed is an improvement over the foregoing.

SUMMARY

In at least one form of the present invention, a surgical staplinginstrument can include first and second jaw members which can bepivotably connected to each other and secured in position relative toeach other by a latch. In various embodiments, the first and second jawmembers can include first and second locking members which can allow thefirst and second jaw members to be rotated relative to one another butprevent, or at least inhibit, the first and second jaw members frombeing separated from one another. Such embodiments may be particularlyuseful in circumstances when the latch is in a partially-closed positionand the first and second jaw members are being manipulated to positiontissue therebetween. In at least one such embodiment, the first andsecond jaw members can be sufficiently connected together in order toprevent, or at least reduce the possibility of, the first and second jawmembers from becoming detached from one another and exposing a cuttingmember. In at least one form of the present invention, a surgicalstapling instrument can include a housing which can extend at leastpartially over and/or around the cutting member. In various embodiments,the housing can at least partially cover the cutting member when thefirst and second jaw members are detached from one another, yet permitthe cutting member to be moved relative to the first and second jawmembers during use.

In various embodiments, the surgical stapling instrument can furtherinclude a cutting member and/or staple sled which can be advanced and/orretracted relative to the first and second jaw members. In certainembodiments, the staple sled can be advanced by, and/or along with, thecutting member in order to deploy staples from a staple cartridge in oneof the first and second jaw members. In at least one form of the presentinvention, a surgical stapling instrument can include a lock which canprevent, or at least inhibit, the cutting member and/or staple sled frombeing moved, or at least advanced, relative to the first and second jawmembers before the latch has been closed. In at least one embodiment,the latch can be configured to engage the lock as the latch is movedfrom a fully open position to a fully closed position and operablydisengage the lock from the cutting member and/or staple sled. In atleast one embodiment, one of the first and second jaw members caninclude an anvil having at least one forming surface which can beconfigured to deform the staples as they are deployed from the staplecartridge. In at least one form of the present invention, the anvil canbe movably adjustable relative to the staple cartridge in order toadjust the amount in which the staples are deformed. In variousembodiments, the anvil can be adjusted by a slidable adjusting plateand/or a rotatable cam.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention,and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and theinvention itself will be better understood by reference to the followingdescription of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical stapling instrument inaccordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the surgical staplinginstrument of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded elevational view of the surgical staplinginstrument of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the surgical staplinginstrument of FIG. 1 illustrating first and second portions beingassembled together;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the surgical staplinginstrument of FIG. 1 illustrating the proximal end of the first portionof FIG. 4 being locked to the proximal end of the second portion of FIG.4 and illustrating the second portion being rotated toward the firstportion;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the surgical staplinginstrument of FIG. 1 illustrating a latch rotatably mounted to the firstportion, wherein the latch is engaged with the second portion andwherein the latch has been rotated into a partially-closed position;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the surgical staplinginstrument of FIG. 1 illustrating the latch of FIG. 6 in a closedposition;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a staple cartridge assembly of thesurgical stapling instrument of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the staple cartridge assembly of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge assembly ofFIG. 8 taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a staple sled and cutting member assemblyof the staple cartridge assembly of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the staple sled and cutting memberassembly of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the surgical stapling instrument ofFIG. 1 illustrating a firing actuator moved distally along a first sideof the surgical stapling instrument;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the surgical stapling instrument ofFIG. 1 illustrating the firing actuator of FIG. 13 moved distally alonga second side of the surgical stapling instrument;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a surgical stapling instrument inaccordance with at least one alternative embodiment of the presentinvention illustrating a latch in a partially-closed position and alocking mechanism engaged with a firing actuator;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the surgical stapling instrument ofFIG. 15 wherein the latch has been moved into a closed position and hasdisengaged the locking mechanism from the firing actuator;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an anvil assembly of the surgicalstapling instrument of FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the anvil assembly of FIG.17;

FIG. 19 is another exploded perspective view of the anvil assembly ofFIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is an exploded cross-sectional elevational view of the anvilassembly of FIG. 17;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional assembly view of the anvil assembly of FIG.17 illustrating an anvil adjustment member in a first position;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional assembly view of the anvil assembly of FIG.17 illustrating the anvil adjustment member of FIG. 21 in a secondposition;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional assembly view of the anvil assembly of FIG.17 illustrating the anvil adjustment member of FIG. 21 in a thirdposition;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a surgical stapling instrument inaccordance with at least one alternative embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the surgical stapling instrument ofFIG. 24 taken along line 25-25 in FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a partial exploded view of the proximal end of the surgicalstapling instrument of FIG. 24 including a detent mechanism forreleasably holding a rotatable anvil adjustment member in position;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the surgical stapling instrument ofFIG. 24 with some components removed and others shown in cross-section;

FIG. 28 is an exploded view of portions of the surgical staplinginstrument of FIG. 24 illustrating a rotatable anvil adjustment memberin a first orientation;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the rotatable anvil adjustment memberof FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is an end view of the surgical stapling instrument of FIG. 24with some components removed and others shown in dashed linesillustrating the rotatable anvil adjustment member in the firstorientation of FIG. 28;

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional end view of the surgical staplinginstrument of FIG. 24 taken along line 31-31 in FIG. 24;

FIG. 32 is an end view of the surgical stapling instrument of FIG. 24illustrating the rotatable anvil adjustment member of FIG. 28 rotated ina first direction into a second orientation;

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional end view of the surgical staplinginstrument of FIG. 24 illustrating the anvil adjustment member in thesecond orientation of FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 is an end view of the surgical stapling instrument of FIG. 24illustrating the rotatable anvil adjustment member of FIG. 28 rotated ina second direction into a third orientation;

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional end view of the surgical staplinginstrument of FIG. 24 illustrating the anvil adjustment member in thethird orientation of FIG. 34;

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of an actuator for rotating the anviladjustment member of FIG. 28; and

FIG. 37 is a partial cross-sectional view of a surgical staplinginstrument including a spring configured to bias the distal end of afirst handle portion away from the distal end of a second handle portionwhen the stapling instrument is in a partially-closed configuration.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. The exemplifications set out hereinillustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, in one form, and suchexemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of theinvention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to provide anoverall understanding of the principles of the structure, function,manufacture, and use of the devices and methods disclosed herein. One ormore examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that thedevices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments and thatthe scope of the various embodiments of the present invention is definedsolely by the claims. The features illustrated or described inconnection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with thefeatures of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations areintended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Three commonly-owned, non-provisional United States patent applicationshave been filed contemporaneously with the present application. At thetime of filing, these three applications were identifiable as:

-   SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT WITH CUTTING MEMBER ARRANGEMENT, Atty.    Docket No. END6414USNP/080203, Inventors: Chester Baxter and James    Bedi;-   SURGICAL STAPLER HAVING AN INTERMEDIATE CLOSING POSITION, Atty.    Docket No. END6411USNP/080200, Inventors: Chester Baxter and James    Bedi; and-   LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENT FOR A SURGICAL STAPLER, Atty. Docket No.    END6405USNP/080194, Inventors: Chester Baxter and James Bedi, the    entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference    herein.

Referring to FIG. 1, a surgical stapling instrument, generally 100, cancomprise a first handle portion 102 and a second handle portion 104. Invarious embodiments, first handle portion 102 and second handle portion104 can be configured to be grasped by a surgeon, for example, and cancomprise hand grip portion 106. In at least one embodiment, first handleportion 102, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, can include a first cover 108attached to a first frame 110 and, similarly, second handle portion 104can include a second cover 112 attached to a second frame 114. Covers108 and 112 can be ergonomically contoured, or otherwise suitablycontoured, to assist a surgeon in manipulating stapling instrument 100within a surgical site. In various embodiments, handle covers 108 and112, for example, can include enlarged protrusions 109 and 113,respectively, which can facilitate the insertion of stapling instrument100 into a surgical site. In various embodiments, handle covers 108 and112 can be made of plastic, lightweight materials, and/or any othersuitable material, for example, while handle frames 110 and 114 can bemade of stainless steel, titanium, and/or any other suitable material,for example.

In various embodiments, referring again to FIGS. 1-3, the distal ends ofhandle portions 102 and 104 can comprise an end-effector 120 which canbe configured to treat tissue within a surgical site, for example. In atleast one such embodiment, end-effector 120 can include a staplecartridge channel 122 configured to receive and/or retain a staplecartridge as described in greater detail further below. In certainembodiments, staple cartridge channel 122 can comprise a one-pieceelongated channel-shaped frame extending from first handle portion frame110. In at least one embodiment, staple cartridge channel 122 caninclude a pair of opposed, elongated side walls 124 connected by abottom wall 126. Along the rearward, or proximal, portion of staplecartridge channel 122, a pair of spaced, upstanding side flanges 128 canextend upwardly from opposed side walls 124. In various embodiments, thewidth of staple cartridge channel 122 between side flanges 128 can begreater than the width of the upper jaw member, or anvil, 130 extendingfrom second handle portion 104. In at least one embodiment, the distancebetween flanges 128 can be configured to permit at least a portion ofanvil 130 to be received between side flanges 128 when the staplinginstrument is assembled for operation. As shown in FIG. 2, each sideflange 128 of can include a notch, or recess, 127, for example, whichcan be configured to receive one or more latch projections 131, forexample, extending from anvil 130, and/or any other suitable portion ofsecond handle portion 104, as described in greater detail further below.

As indicated above, referring once again to FIGS. 1-3, staple cartridgechannel 122 can be configured to support and/or retain a staplecartridge, such as staple cartridge 150, for example, withinend-effector 120, wherein the staple cartridge can include one or morestaples (not illustrated) removably stored therein. In variousembodiments, referring to FIGS. 8-10, staple cartridge 150 can includeone or more staple cavities 151 which can be configured to store staplesin any suitable arrangement, such as in at least two laterally-spacedlongitudinal rows, for example. In at least one embodiment, referring toFIGS. 9 and 10, staple cartridge 150 can include staple cartridge body152 and pan 154, wherein staple cartridge body 152 and/or pan 154 can beconfigured to define a channel, or path, for slidably receiving a staplesled and/or cutting member therein. In at least one embodiment, pan 154can include flexible arms 155, for example, which can be configured toengage staple cartridge body 152 in a snap-fit and/or press-fitarrangement. Referring to FIGS. 10-12, staple cartridge 150 can furtherinclude staple sled assembly 160 which can include staple sled portion162 and, in addition, cutting member 164. In various embodiments,cutting member 164 can include cutting edge 165 and lock arm 166, forexample, wherein lock arm 166 can be configured to be press-fit and/orsnap-fit into aperture 163 in staple sled 162 when cutting member 164 isassembled to staple sled portion 162. In other various embodiments,staple sled portion 162 can be integrally molded to cutting member 164.

Further to the above, referring to FIGS. 8-10, staple cartridge body 152can include a slot, such as slot 156, for example, which can beconfigured to receive at least a portion of cutting member 164 therein,and/or any other portion of staple sled assembly 160 and pusher barassembly 200 (discussed below), wherein slot 156 can be configured topermit cutting member 164 to be moved between first and second positionswithin staple cartridge 150. In various embodiments, slot 156 can beconfigured to permit cutting member 164 to be moved between a proximalposition (FIG. 10) and a distal position in order to incise tissuepositioned intermediate staple cartridge 150 and anvil 130, for example.Referring again to FIGS. 10-12, staple sled portion 162 can include cam,ramp, or actuator, surfaces 167 which can be configured to engage stapledrivers positioned within staple cartridge 150. In various embodiments,referring to FIG. 9, staple cartridge 150 can include staple drivers 168which can be lifted, or slid, upwardly within staple cavities 151 bysled portion 162 such that the upward movement of staple drivers 168 caneject, or deploy, staples at least partially positioned within staplecavities 151. While staple drives 168 can be, in fact, lifted verticallyupwardly, the term upward, and the like, can mean that staple drivers168, for example, are moved toward the top surface, or deck, 158 of thestaple cartridge and/or toward anvil 130, for example. In certainembodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 9, each staple driver 168 caninclude one or more sloped surfaces 169 oriented at the same angle as acam surface 167, and/or any other suitable angle, which can provide arelatively flat, or at least substantially flat, sliding contact surfacebetween staple sled 162 and staple drivers 168. In various embodiments,a staple driver can be configured to deploy only one staple, while, incertain embodiments, a staple driver can be configured to simultaneouslydeploy two or more staples located in adjacent rows, for example. Otherdevices are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/030,424,entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT WITH IMPROVED FIRING TRIGGERARRANGEMENT, which was filed on Feb. 13, 2008, the entire disclosure ofwhich is incorporated by reference herein.

In various embodiments, as described above, a surgical staplinginstrument can include a cutting member/staple sled assembly configuredto incise tissue and deploy staples from a staple cartridge. In certainembodiments, though, a surgical stapling instrument may not require, orinclude, a cutting member. In at least one such embodiment, a staplecartridge can include a staple sled positioned therein and/or a surgicalinstrument can be configured to move a staple sled into a staplecartridge in order to staple tissue, for example, without otherwisedissecting it. In certain other embodiments, a staple cartridge caninclude a staple sled positioned therein where a surgical instrument caninclude a cutting member movable into, or relative to, the staplecartridge. In at least one such embodiment, the cutting member can beadvanced into contact with the staple sled such that the cutting memberand staple sled can be advanced together. Thereafter, the cutting membercan be sufficiently retracted to allow the staple cartridge to bedetached from the surgical instrument and replaced with a new staplecartridge having a new staple sled. Such embodiments may be useful whena staple sled may become worn or deformed during use. Other embodimentsare envisioned where a staple cartridge can include a cutting memberpositioned therein where a surgical instrument can include a staple sledmovable into, or relative to, the staple cartridge. In at least one suchembodiment, similar to the above, the staple sled can be advanced intocontact with the cutting member such that the cutting member and staplesled can be advanced together. Thereafter, the staple sled can besufficiently retracted to allow the staple cartridge to be detached fromthe surgical instrument and replaced with a new staple cartridge havinga new cutting member. Such embodiments may be useful when a cuttingmember may become worn or deformed during use. In various embodiments,as described in greater detail below, the staple cartridge can include aprotective housing or cover configured to prevent, or at least reducethe possibility of, a surgeon or other clinician from touching thecutting member positioned within the staple cartridge while handling thestaple cartridge, for example.

In various embodiments, further to the above, staple cartridge channel122 and/or staple cartridge 150, for example, can include one or moreco-operating projections and/or recesses, for example, which can beconfigured to removably retain staple cartridge 150 within staplecartridge channel 122. Once staple cartridge 150 has been inserted intostaple cartridge channel 122, in various embodiments, the first handleportion 102 can be assembled to the second handle portion 104. In othervarious embodiments, the staple cartridge may be inserted into thestaple cartridge channel after the first and second handle portions havebeen assembled together. In either event, referring to FIGS. 1-7, firsthandle portion 102 and second handle portion 104 can include proximalends 103 and 105, respectively, which can be assembled together suchthat the first and second handle portions can be rotatably or pivotablycoupled to one another. In various embodiments, referring to FIGS. 2 and3, first handle portion 102 can include one or more pins, orprojections, 111 extending therefrom which can be configured to beslidably received within one or more grooves, channels, or slots 115 insecond handle portion 104. In certain embodiments, slots 115 can bedefined in second handle frame 114 and projections 111 can extend from aproximal end post 107 extending from first handle frame 110, forexample. In order to assemble first handle portion 102 and second handleportion 104, referring to FIG. 4, the open ends of slots 115 can bealigned with projections 111 such that second handle portion 104, forexample, can be translated relative to first handle portion 102 andprojections 111 can be slid within slots 115. In at least oneembodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the open ends of slots 115can be located proximally with respect to their closed ends. In at leastone such embodiment, proximal end 105 of second handle portion 104 canbe positioned distally with respect to proximal end 103 of first handleportion 102 such that second handle portion 104 can be moved proximallyin order to position projections 111 within slots 115. In various othercircumstances, first handle portion 102 can be positioned proximallywith respect to second handle portion 104 and slid distally in order toposition projections 111 within slots 115.

In various embodiments, referring to FIG. 5, second handle portion 104can be rotated toward first handle portion 102 such that anvil 130 canbe moved into position relative to staple cartridge 150 and/or staplecartridge channel 122. In certain embodiments, first handle portion 102can be rotated toward second handle portion 104 and/or the first andsecond handle portions can be rotated toward each other. In any event,projections 111 and slots 115, when engaged with one another, cancomprise a pivot about which one or both of the first and second handleportions can be moved relative to each other. In various embodiments,second handle portion 104 can be moved relative to first handle portion102 such that anvil 130 is moved into close opposition to staplecartridge 150. In certain embodiments, referring to FIG. 6, secondhandle portion 104 can be moved relative to first handle portion 102such that latch projections 131 extending from second handle portion 104can be aligned with and/or inserted into recesses 127 within firsthandle portion 102. In various embodiments, referring primarily to FIGS.2 and 3, first handle portion 102 can further include latching mechanism180 rotatably mounted thereto which can be utilized to engage latchprojections 131 extending from second handle portion 104 and secure thefirst and second handle portions together. Although not illustrated,other embodiments are envisioned in which a latching mechanism isrotatably mounted to the second handle portion and latch projections canextend from the first handle portion. In any event, in at least oneembodiment, latching mechanism 180 can be mounted to first frame 110 byone or more pivot pins 182 which can be configured to define an axisabout which latch 180 can be rotated.

In certain embodiments, referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, latchingmechanism 180 can include latch frame 184 and, in addition, latch cover186 assembled to latch frame 184. In other various embodiments, thelatch cover and the latch frame can comprise an integral unit or, incertain embodiments, the latching mechanism may not even include acover. In certain embodiments, latch frame 184 can be channel-shaped andcan include a pair of opposed, elongated side walls 185 which are spacedapart by a distance sufficient to span first frame portion 110. In atleast one embodiment, latch cover 186 can be made of plastic,lightweight materials, and/or any other suitable materials, for example,while latch frame 184 can be made of stainless steel and/or any othersuitable material, for example. In certain embodiments, when latchingmechanism 180 is closed, as illustrated in FIG. 7, latch cover 186 canbe aligned with first handle cover 108. Latch cover 186 can includecontoured portion 187 which can be configured to assist a surgeon inmanipulating surgical instrument 100 wherein, in at least oneembodiment, contoured portion 187 can be aligned with, or at leastsubstantially aligned with, protrusion 109 extending from first handlecover 108. Latching mechanism 180 can further include one or more latcharms 188 extending therefrom which can be configured to engage one ormore latch projections 131 extending from second handle portion 104 andpull and/or secure projections 131 within recesses 127 as illustrated inFIG. 7. In at least one embodiment, at least one of latch arms 188 canbe integrally-formed with latch frame 184. In certain embodiments,referring to FIG. 6, at least one of latch arms 188 can include a distalhook 189 which can be configured to wrap around at least a portion ofprojections 131 so as to encompass or surround, or at least partiallyencompass or surround, projections 131. In at least one embodiment,latch arms 188 can act as an over-center latch to maintain latchingmechanism 180 in its latched, or closed, position.

In use, in various circumstances, one of the first handle portion 102and the second handle portion 104 can be positioned on a first side oftissue within a surgical site and the other handle portion can berotated into position on the opposite side of the tissue. In suchembodiments, staple cartridge 150 can be positioned on one side of thetissue and anvil 130 can be positioned on the other side of the tissue.Thereafter, as also outlined above, latching mechanism 180 can beactuated such that it can be moved between an open position and a closedposition in order to latch second handle portion 104 to first handleportion 102 and apply a clamping force to the tissue positioned betweenstaple cartridge 150 and anvil 130. In certain circumstances, latchingmechanism 180 can be moved between an open position (FIG. 5), apartially-closed, or intermediate, position (FIG. 6), and a closedposition (FIG. 7). In at least one such embodiment, referring to FIGS. 5and 6, latching mechanism 180 can be moved between an open position inwhich latch arms 188 are not engaged with projections 131 and apartially-closed position in which latch arms 188 are engaged withprojections 131 such that, although anvil 130 has been at leastpartially brought into opposition to staple cartridge 150, a sufficientgap can remain between anvil 130 and staple cartridge 150 which canallow end-effector 120 to be repositioned relative to the tissue, forexample. Once the anvil 130 and staple cartridge 150 have beensufficiently positioned relative to the tissue, latching mechanism 180can be moved between its partially-closed position and a closedposition, as illustrated in FIG. 7.

In various embodiments, further to the above, a surgical staplinginstrument can further include a biasing member which can be configuredto bias the first handle portion of a stapling instrument away from asecond handle portion. In at least one embodiment, as described ingreater detail further below, a spring, and/or any suitably resilientmaterial, can be positioned intermediate the first and second handleportions such that the anvil and staple cartridge of the staplinginstrument can be biased away from each other. In certain embodiments,the spring can be configured to at least partially separate the firstand second handle portions such that a gap exists between the anvil andthe staple cartridge, wherein the gap can be sufficient to allow tissueto be positioned therebetween. In use, a surgeon can position such asurgical stapling instrument without having to separate and hold thefirst and second handle portions apart from each other. Such aninstrument may be especially useful when the stapling instrument is in apartially-closed configuration and the surgeon is manipulating theinstrument within a surgical site. After the surgeon is satisfied withthe positioning of the stapling instrument, the surgeon can compressand/or disengage the spring and place the stapling instrument in aclosed configuration.

In various circumstances, as outlined above, the distal end of firsthandle portion 102 can be moved relative to the distal end of secondhandle portion 104, especially when latching mechanism 180 is notengaged with, or only partially engaged with, projections 131 of secondhandle portion 104. In such circumstances, projections 111 and slots 115at the proximal ends of the first and second handle portions can beconfigured to retain at least the proximal ends of the first and secondhandle portions together when the distal ends of the first and secondhandle portions are being moved relative to each other, for example.Stated another way, projections 111 and slots 115 can cooperate toprevent, or at least inhibit, first handle portion 102 from becomingcompletely detached from second handle portion 104. In certainembodiments, a first handle portion can include a first lock portion anda second handle portion can include a second lock portion, wherein thefirst and second lock portions can be configured to be engaged with oneanother and prevent the first handle portion from becoming completelydetached from the second handle portion. In at least one embodiment,projections 111 can comprise the first lock portion and slots 115 cancomprise the second lock portion. Previous stapling instruments lackedsuch lock portions and instead relied on a sole latching mechanism tokeep the first and second handle portions together. In circumstanceswhere the latching mechanisms of these previous stapling instrumentswere not fully engaged with both of the first and second handleportions, the first and second handle portions could become completelydetached from one another, thereby requiring a surgeon, for example, toreposition and reassemble the handle portions. In certain circumstances,a complete detachment of the first and second handle portions of theseprevious staples could expose at least a portion of a cutting member.

In various embodiments, as outlined above, latching mechanism 180 can beconfigured to be moved between an open position, a partially-closedposition, and a closed position. When latching mechanism 180 is in itsopen position, as also outlined above, projections 111 can be insertedinto and/or removed from slots 115. When latching mechanism 180 is inits partially-closed position, referring to FIG. 6, latch arms 188 canbe configured to engage latch projections 131 such that projections 111cannot be removed from slots 115. In at least one such embodiment, latcharms 188 and latch projections 131 can be configured to prevent, or atleast inhibit, second handle portion 104 from being moved distally withrespect to first handle portion 102 and, as a result, prevent, or atleast inhibit, projections 111 from being disengaged from slots 115.Correspondingly, latch arms 188 and latch projections 131 can beconfigured to prevent first handle portion 102 from being movedproximally with respect to second handle portion 104. Similar to theabove, in various embodiments, latch arms 188 and latch projections 131can also be configured to prevent, or at least inhibit, projections 111from being removed from slots 115 when latching mechanism 180 is in itsclosed position (FIG. 7). In certain embodiments, further to the above,latch projections 131 can extend from second handle portion 104 at alocation which is intermediate its proximal and distal ends. In at leastone such embodiment, projections 111 and slots 115 can be configured tohold the first and second handle portions together at their proximalends while latching mechanism 180 can be utilized to hold the first andsecond handle portions together at an intermediate location. In anyevent, in certain embodiments, the first and second handle portionscannot be disengaged from one another unless latching mechanism 180 ismoved into its fully open position. In at least one such embodiment,projections 111 and slots 115 cannot be disengaged from one another whenlatching mechanism 180 is in a closed and/or partially-closed position.

Once anvil 130 and staple cartridge 150 have been sufficientlypositioned, the tissue positioned intermediate anvil 130 and staplecartridge 150 can be stapled and/or incised. In various embodiments,referring to FIG. 3, surgical stapling instrument 100 can furtherinclude pusher bar assembly 200 which can be configured to advanceand/or retract staple sled assembly 160 within staple cartridge 150, forexample. In at least one embodiment, pusher bar assembly 200 can includepusher bar 202 and firing actuator 204, wherein firing actuator 204 canbe configured to move pusher bar 202 and staple sled assembly 160distally to deploy staples from staple cartridge 150 and deform thestaples against anvil 130 as described above. In at least oneembodiment, referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, staple sled 162 can include agroove, channel, or slot 161 which can be configured to receive, and canbe operably connected to, a distal end 201 (FIG. 3) of pusher bar 202.In certain embodiments, staple sled assembly 160 can be operably engagedwith pusher bar 202 when staple cartridge 150 is inserted into staplecartridge channel 122. In at least one embodiment, distal end 201 andslot 161 can include cooperating features which can allow distal end 201and slot 161 to be assembled in a transverse direction but prevent, orat least inhibit, distal end 201 and slot 161 from being disassembledfrom one another in a proximal direction and/or distal direction. Inother embodiments, pusher bar 202 can be advanced distally beforecontacting and engaging staple sled assembly 160. In at least one suchembodiment, the staple sled assembly 160 can remain stationary untilcontacted by pusher bar 202. In any event, as outlined above, actuator204 can be operably connected to pusher bar 202 such that a pushingand/or pulling force can be applied to actuator 204 and transmitted topusher bar 202. In certain embodiments, as described in greater detailbelow, actuator 204 can be pivotably connected to a proximal end 203 ofpusher bar 202 such that actuator 204 can be selectively rotated betweenat least first and second positions.

Further to the above, referring to FIGS. 1, 13, and 14, actuator 204 canbe movable between a first position on a first side 116 of surgicalstapling instrument 100 (FIG. 13), a second position on a second side117 (FIG. 14), and an intermediate position (FIG. 1) located at theproximal ends 103 and 105 of the first and second handle portions 102and 104. Once actuator 204 has been rotated into position on one of thefirst and second sides 116, 117, actuator 204 can be advanced distally.In various circumstances, as a result, a surgeon may select whether tomove actuator 204 distally along first side 116 or second side 117. Suchcircumstances may arise when it is more likely that actuator 204 mayimpinge on tissue surrounding the surgical site, for example, whenactuator 204 is moved distally along one side of the surgical instrumentas compared to the other. In various embodiments, referring to FIGS. 2and 3, actuator 204 can include arm 206 extending therefrom where arm206 can be pivotably mounted to proximal end 203 of pusher bar 202. Incertain embodiments, referring once again to FIGS. 1, 13, and 14,surgical instrument 100 can include a first slot (not illustrated)extending along first side 116 and a second slot 118 extending alongsecond side 117, wherein the first and second slots can be configured toslidably receive at least a portion of actuator 204. In at least oneembodiment, the sidewalls of the first and second slots can confine, orat least assist in confining, the movement of actuator 204 such that itcan be moved along a predetermined path. Referring to FIG. 14, secondslot 118, for example, can be defined between first handle portion 102and second handle portion 104 such that, when actuator 204 is moveddistally along second side 117, arm 206 of actuator 204 can be slidintermediate the first and second handle portions. Similar to the above,the first slot can also be defined intermediate the first and secondhandle portions. In various embodiments, referring again to FIGS. 13 and14, surgical instrument 100 can further include intermediate slot 119which can also be configured to allow arm 206, and/or any other suitableportion of actuator 204, to slide therein. In at least one suchembodiment, intermediate slot 119 can connect the first and second slotssuch that, when actuator 204 is positioned in its intermediate position,actuator 204 can be moved into either one of its first and secondpositions. In certain embodiments, the first slot, second slot 117, andintermediate slot 119 can be parallel, or at least substantiallyparallel, to one another and/or lie in the same plane, although otherembodiments are envisioned in which one or more of the slots is notparallel to the others and/or lies in a different plane. Furthermore,although the first and second sides of the illustrated embodiment arelocated on opposite sides of surgical instrument 100, other embodimentsare envisioned where the first and second slots, for example, arelocated on adjacent sides and/or sides which are not directly oppositeto each other. Furthermore, other embodiments are envisioned in whichthe sides of a stapling instrument are not readily discernable, such asinstruments having round and/or arcuate portions.

In various embodiments, further to the above, surgical staplinginstrument 100 can further include a locking mechanism which canprevent, or at least inhibit, actuator 204 and, correspondingly, staplesled assembly 160, from being advanced prematurely. In at least oneembodiment, the locking mechanism can be configured to prevent, or atleast inhibit, actuator 204 from being advanced distally prior tolatching mechanism 180 being moved into a closed, or an at leastpartially-closed, position. In certain embodiments, generally referringto FIG. 5, surgical stapling instrument 100 can further includinglocking mechanism 220 which can be engaged with actuator 204 and canremain engaged with actuator 204 while latching mechanism 180 is in afully open position (FIG. 5) and/or an at least substantially-openposition. In various embodiments, locking mechanism 220 can include lock222 which can be biased into engagement with actuator 204 by a biasingforce applied thereto by lock spring 224, for example. In at least onesuch embodiment, actuator 204 can include one or more grooves, channels,or slots (not illustrated) which can be configured to receive at least aportion of lock 222. In use, locking mechanism 220 can hold actuator 204in position until latching mechanism 180 is moved into its fully closedposition (FIG. 7) and/or an at least substantially closed position. Insuch circumstances, in at least one embodiment, latching mechanism 180can be configured to engage locking mechanism 220 and disengage lock 222from actuator 204. In at least one such embodiment, referring to FIGS.5-7, latching mechanism 180 can further include cam 183 which can beconfigured to engage cam surface 223 on lock 222 when latching mechanism180 is moved into its closed position and, as a result, slide, and/orotherwise move, lock 222 away from actuator 204. In various embodiments,cam 183 can comprise a wall, rib, and/or ridge extending from latchcover 186 and/or latch frame 184. In any event, once lock 222 has beensufficiently disengaged from actuator 204, in at least one embodiment,actuator 204 can be moved from its intermediate position, illustrated inFIG. 1, into one of its first and second positions, as illustrated inFIGS. 13 and 14.

As described above, locking mechanism 220 can be configured to prevent,or at least inhibit, drive bar 202 from being advanced distally prior tolatching mechanism 180 being moved into a predetermined position, suchas, for example, a closed position and/or partially-closed position.Advantageously, locking mechanism 220 may also prevent, or at leastinhibit, staple sled assembly 160 from being advanced prior to the firsthandle portion 102 and the second handle portion 104 being assembledtogether. In effect, locking mechanism 220 can prevent tissue positionedintermediate anvil 130 and staple cartridge 150 from being cut and/orstapled prior to anvil 130 and staple cartridge 150 being properlypositioned relative to the tissue. Also, in effect, locking mechanism220 can prevent staples from being deployed into the tissue prior to anappropriate clamping force being applied to the tissue. In any event,when latching mechanism 180 is returned to its fully open position,and/or a partially-open position, cam 183 can be moved away from lock222 such that lock spring 124 can bias lock 222 into engagement withactuator 204 once again. In various other embodiments, referring toFIGS. 15 and 16, locking mechanism 220′ can include a lock 222′comprising a cam surface 223′ and, in addition, a stop 226′ which canlimit the relative movement of lock 222′. In at least one embodiment,cam 183, for example, can be configured to contact cam surface 223′ and,owing to the contoured, beveled, and/or angled surface of cam surface223′, cam 183 can be configured to drive lock 222′ distally asillustrated in FIG. 16. Lock 222′ can be driven distally such that pin228′, which extends from lock 222′, can be moved between a firstposition (FIG. 15) in which it is positioned within aperture 229′ inactuator 204′ and a second position (FIG. 16) in which pin 228′ has beensufficiently removed from aperture 229′. In various embodiments, stop226′ can be configured such that, as lock 222′ is driven distally, stop226′ can come into contact with cam 183 once lock 222′ has beensufficiently displaced. In such embodiments, stop 226′ can be configuredto control the second, or displaced, position of lock 222′. Similar tothe above, as actuator 180 is moved out of its closed position and cam183 is disengaged from locking mechanism 220′, lock spring 224′ can movelock 222′ into engagement with actuator 204′ once again.

In various embodiments, as described above, a firing actuator can beutilized to move a pusher bar, staple sled, and/or cutting memberbetween first and second positions. As also described above, pusher barassembly 200, for example, can be utilized to move a staple sledassembly, such as staple sled assembly 160, for example, between aproximal position (FIG. 10) and a distal position. In certainembodiments, a staple cartridge, such as staple cartridge 150, forexample, can include a staple sled assembly 160 contained therein,wherein staple sled assembly 160 can be positioned in a distal position,as illustrated in FIG. 10, when the staple cartridge is assembled to orinserted into staple cartridge channel 122. In at least one suchembodiment, referring to FIGS. 8-10, staple cartridge 150 can includefurther housing 170 which can be configured to cover at least a portionof cutting member 164 when staple sled assembly 160 is in its distalposition, for example. In various embodiments, housing 170 can beconfigured to protect a surgeon, for example, when handling the staplecartridge, when inserting the staple cartridge into the surgicalstapler, and/or assembling two or more portions of the surgical staplertogether, for example. In at least one such embodiment, at least anupper portion of cutting edge 165 can extend above deck, or top surface,158 of staple cartridge 150 and, absent a protective housing, such ashousing 170, for example, the upper portion of cutting edge 165 may beexposed.

In various embodiments, as described above, cutting member 165 can be atleast partially positioned within slot, or channel, 156 and, asillustrated in FIG. 10, at least the upper, or top, portion of cuttingmember 164 can extend above deck 158. In at least one embodiment,referring to FIGS. 8-10, housing 170 can include a first wall, orportion, 172 extending from a first portion 157 of staple cartridge body152, a second wall, or portion, 174 extending from a second portion 159of staple cartridge body 152, and a top wall, or portion, 176 extendingbetween first wall 172 and second wall 174. In certain embodiments, ahousing may comprise only one support wall, or support portion,extending from a staple cartridge body and, in addition, a top wall, ortop portion, extending therefrom. In other embodiments, a housing maycomprise one or more side walls, or portions, and no top wall. In atleast one such embodiment, the side walls of the housing can beconfigured such that they extend above the top of the cutting member, orat least extend above a cutting edge of the cutting member, for example.In any event, as illustrated in FIG. 10, at least a portion of cuttingmember 164 can be positioned underneath top wall 176 and/or between sidewalls 172 and 174 when staple sled assembly 160 is in its proximalposition. In certain embodiments, cutting member 164 can be entirelypositioned underneath top wall 176, and/or entirely positioned withinhousing 170. In at least one embodiment, cutting member 164 can bepositioned underneath top wall 176 such that cutting surface 165 doesnot extend beyond the distal edge 175 and/or the proximal edge 177 oftop wall 176. In at least one embodiment, housing 170 can include a rearwall 178 which can be configured to limit the proximal movement ofcutting member 164 and/or any other portion of staple sled assembly 160.In various embodiments, at least a portion of housing 170, for example,can be integrally-formed with staple cartridge body 152. In at least onesuch embodiment, first wall 172, second wall 174, top wall 176, and/orrear wall 178 can be formed when staple cartridge body 152 is injectionmolded, for example. In certain embodiments, at least a portion ofhousing 170 can be assembled to staple cartridge body 152 via a snap-fitarrangement, press-fit arrangement, and/or any other suitable manner.

In various embodiments, further to the above, cutting member 164 can bedefined by a planar, or an at least substantially planar, body having aknife edge extending along at least one side of the cutting member body.In at least one such embodiment, first wall 172 and/or second wall 174can be configured and arranged such that they can include planar, or atleast substantially planar, interior surfaces 173 which are parallel, orat least substantially parallel, to the side surfaces of cutting member164. In certain embodiments, cutting member 164 can be closely receivedbetween the interior surfaces 173 of walls 172 and 174. In at least onesuch embodiment, the distance between walls 172 and 174 may be the sameas, or at least substantially the same as, the width of slot 156. In anyevent, a housing can be configured such that at least a portion of thehousing extends over at least a portion of slot 156, for example. Incertain embodiments, housing 170 can completely enclose or surround acutting member 164 and/or cutting surface 165. In at least oneembodiment, although not illustrated, a housing can include a break-awayand/or incisable portion which can be at least partially detached,separated, and/or otherwise deformed in order to permit a cutting memberto exit the housing. In at least one such embodiment, the tissue cuttingsurface can be configured to contact the housing to break and/or incisea housing wall, for example. In various embodiments, the housing wallcan include a thin portion, a reduced-thickness portion, score mark,and/or any other configuration to facilitate the deformation and/orincision of the housing wall. In certain embodiments, a cutting membercan include one or more additional cutting surfaces and/or anvils, forexample, which can be configured to deform and/or incise the housing. Inat least one embodiment, the housing can include a movable and/orflexible portion, such as a hinged member and/or flexible flap, forexample, which can be configured to sufficiently move and/or flex toallow the cutting member to pass thereby. In any event, embodiments areenvisioned in which the cutting member can have any suitableconfiguration for incising tissue and the protective housing can haveany suitable configuration for at least partially enclosing orsurrounding the cutting member. Furthermore, although a cutting membercan comprise a sharpened edge as described above, other suitable cuttingmembers are envisioned, such as those supplied with an electricalcurrent sufficient to dissect tissue, for example.

As described above, housing 170 can be configured to at least partiallycover, enclose, and/or surround a cutting member when it is in itsproximal position. In various embodiments, the cutting member can beadvanced distally to incise tissue, for example, and then retractedproximally in order to position the cutting member within housing 170once again. In such embodiments, the cutting member can be at leastpartially covered by housing 170 when the staple cartridge is assembledto and removed from a surgical stapling instrument. In certainembodiments, a new, or unspent, staple cartridge can be inserted intothe staple cartridge channel to replace the at least partially spentstaple cartridge. In at least one such embodiment, the new staplecartridge can include a new cutting member and/or staple sled assemblypositioned therein, although embodiments are envisioned in which thepreviously-used cutting member and/or staple sled assembly can besufficiently withdrawn from the spent staple cartridge and advanced intothe new staple cartridge in order to be reused once again. Inembodiments where a new cutting member and/or staple sled assembly isprovided with each new staple cartridge, a sharp cutting edge, forexample, can be utilized with each staple cartridge.

In various embodiments, although not illustrated, a staple cartridge caninclude two or more housings configured to at least partially cover acutting member when it is in two or more positions. In at least oneembodiment, a staple cartridge can include a proximal housing configuredto at least partially cover the cutting member when it is in a proximalposition, for example, and, in addition, a distal housing configured toat least partially cover the cutting member when it is in a distalposition, for example. In at least one such embodiment, the cuttingmember can be positioned within the proximal housing when the staplecartridge is assembled to a surgical stapling instrument and, in certainembodiments, the cutting member can be advanced into the distal housingafter it has transected tissue positioned within the end-effector, forexample. In such embodiments, as a result, the cutting member can be atleast partially positioned within the distal housing when the staplecartridge is removed from the surgical stapler. Such embodiments may beparticularly useful when a vessel, for example, is positionedintermediate the proximal housing and the distal housing of the staplecartridge. In various embodiments, although not illustrated, a cuttingmember can be moved proximally from a distal position to a proximalposition, and/or any other suitable position.

In various embodiments, further to the above, anvil 130 can include oneor more apertures, slots, or recesses 179 (FIG. 17) which can beconfigured to receive at least a portion of housing 170 when anvil 130is brought into close opposition to staple cartridge 150, for example.In at least one embodiment, sufficient clearance can be present betweenhousing 170 and recess 179 such that anvil 130 and staple cartridge 150can be moved relative to each other without interference, or at leastsubstantial interference, therebetween. In embodiments having more thanone cutting member housing as outlined above, an opposing anvil can havemore than one corresponding aperture for receiving the housings. Invarious embodiments, an anvil can include a movable cutting member andat least one housing for at least partially covering, enclosing, and/orsurrounding the cutting member. In certain embodiments, although notillustrated, both an anvil and a staple cartridge can comprise at leastone movable cutting member and/or at least one housing configured to atleast partially cover, surround, or enclose the cutting members whenthey are in a proximal position, for example.

As outlined above, pusher bar assembly 200 can be advanced distally inorder to move staple sled assembly 160 within staple cartridge assembly150. In various embodiments, as also outlined above, the wedge-like camsurfaces 167 of staple sled 162 can be moved into engagement with thesloped surfaces 169 on staple drivers 168 to sequentially, and/orsimultaneously, drive staples from staple cartridge 150 against anvil130 and form the staples into any suitable configuration, such asB-shaped configurations, for example. In at least one such embodiment,referring to FIG. 17, anvil 130 can include one or more staple formingsurfaces, such as staple pockets 132, for example, which can beconfigured to deform the staples. In certain embodiments, anvil 130 canfurther include a slot, channel, or groove 133 which can be configuredto slidably receive at least a portion of staple sled 162, cuttingmember 164, and/or pusher bar 202, for example. In at least oneembodiment, although not illustrated, an anvil can include an anvilplate which can be securely and/or immovably positioned within an anvilchannel defined within the anvil. In various other embodiments, asillustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19 and described in greater detail below,anvil 130 can include an anvil plate 134 movably positioned within anvilchannel 136. In certain embodiments, anvil channel 136 can includeopposite side walls 137 and, in addition, a base 138 extending betweenside walls 137. In at least one embodiment, anvil 130 can furtherinclude a distal nose portion 139, for example, assembled theretowherein nose portion 139 can be configured to be press-fit and/orsnap-fit into anvil channel 136, for example, such that nose portion 139can be securely retained therein. In certain embodiments, nose portion139 can be comprised of a soft and/or pliable material, such as rubber,for example, and can comprise any suitable shape which can facilitatethe insertion of anvil 130 into a surgical site, for example. In someembodiments, referring to FIG. 28, a nose portion, such as nose portion139′ can be retained to an anvil by one or more fasteners 139 a′.Similarly, referring to FIG. 1, a staple cartridge channel and/or staplecartridge, such as staple cartridge 150, for example, can include a noseportion, such as nose portion 153, for example, which can facilitate theinsertion of staple cartridge 150 into a surgical site, for example

As indicated above, staples can be deployed from a staple cartridge anddeformed against an anvil. In various circumstances, the distancebetween the staple forming surfaces on anvil 130 and staple sled 162 candetermine the amount in which the staples are deformed. For example, ifthe distance between anvil pockets 132 on anvil 130 and top surfaces 135on staple sled 162 (FIGS. 10-12) is relatively large, the staples willbe deformed a lesser amount as compared to when the distance betweenanvil pockets 132 and sled surfaces 135 is relatively small.Correspondingly, if the distance between anvil pockets 132 and sledsurfaces 135 is relatively small, the staples will be deformed a greateramount as compared to when the distance between anvil pockets 132 andsled surfaces 135 is relatively large. Often, the distance between anvilpockets 132 and sled surfaces 135 is referred to as the forming heightof the staples. Sometimes the forming height of the staples can bemeasured between the top surface, or deck, of the staple cartridge andthe staple forming surfaces on the anvil. For the purpose of thisapplication, however, any reference to a staple forming height, or thelike, can include one or both manners of measurement, where appropriate,and/or any other suitable manner of measurement. In any event, asdescribed in greater detail below, a surgical stapling instrument, suchas stapling instrument 100, for example, can include means for adjustingthe staple forming height.

In various embodiments, further to the above, an anvil can include oneor more forming surfaces which can be moved toward and/or away from astaple cartridge in order to set the forming height of the staples. Inat least one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 17-23, anvil 130 can includeanvil plate 134 which can be movably and/or slidably positioned withinanvil channel 136. In certain embodiments, anvil 130 can further includeone or more retention, or guide, pins 140, wherein anvil plate 134 caninclude one or more retention, or guide, slots 141 configured toslidably receive at least a portion of pins 140. In at least one suchembodiment, pins 140 and/or slots 141 can be configured to define apredetermined path along which anvil plate 134 can be moved. Referringto FIG. 18, pins 140 and slots 141 can be structured and arranged suchthat anvil plate 134 can be moved along a linear, or at leastsubstantially linear, path, wherein the linear path can be at leastpartially defined by axes 142 and 143, for example. Other embodimentsare envisioned in which an anvil plate can be moved along a non-linearpath, such as a curved and/or curvi-linear path, for example. In certainembodiments, at least a portion of pins 140 can be retained withinapertures 144 in side walls 137 wherein, in at least one embodiment,pins 140 can be press-fit within apertures 144. In any event, asdescribed herein, pins 140 can guide anvil plate 134 as it is movedtoward and/or away from staple cartridge 150, for example.

In various embodiments, further to the above, a surgical staplinginstrument, such as stapling instrument 100, for example, can includeone or more adjustment members configured to position a portion of ananvil, such as anvil plate 134, for example, relative to other portionsof an anvil assembly and/or an opposing staple cartridge. In certainembodiments, referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, stapling instrument 100 caninclude anvil plate adjustment member 230 which can be configured tolimit the range of motion of anvil plate 134. In at least one suchembodiment, referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, adjusting member 230 can bepositioned intermediate anvil plate 134 in a first position in whichfirst surface, or step, 231 of adjusting member 230 is positionedintermediate base 138 of anvil channel 136 and first positioning surface145 on anvil plate 134. In such a first position, first step 231 candefine the amount of relative movement possible, or permitted, betweenanvil plate 134 and anvil channel 136. For example, when anvil 130 isclamped against tissue as described above, anvil plate 134 can contactthe tissue and slide upwardly toward base 138 until first positioningsurface 145 contacts first step 231. Once surface 145 and step 231 arein contact, adjusting member 230 can prevent, or at least inhibit, anvilplate 134 from moving further toward base 138. In at least one suchembodiment, as a result, adjusting member 230 can act as a stop suchthat the distance between base 138 and tissue-contacting surface 148 onanvil plate 134 can be defined by a first distance 234. While base 138is used as a reference datum in the present example, other portions ofanvil 130 and/or an opposing staple cartridge, for example, could beused as reference datums. When adjusting member 230 is in its firstposition, as described above, second surface, or step, 232 of adjustingmember 230 can be positioned intermediate base 138 and secondpositioning surface 146 on anvil plate 134, and, in addition, thirdsurface, or step, 233 can be positioned intermediate base 138 and thirdpositioning surface 147. Referring to FIG. 20, adjustment member 230 caninclude two or more sets of steps, 231, 232, and/or 233 and anvil plate134 can include two or more sets of positioning surfaces 145, 146,and/or 147. While first step 231 and first positioning surface 145 aredescribed above as being configured to control the position of anvilplate 134, the second and third steps (232, 233) of adjustment member230 and the second and third positioning surfaces (146, 147) of anvilplate 134, respectively, can also be configured to control the positionof anvil plate 134. For the sake of brevity, though, the present examplewill be described in reference to the first surface, or step 231, asbeing the surface which controls the position of anvil plate 134,although the reader will understand that the steps 232 and 233 cancontrol the position of anvil plate 134 as well.

In certain embodiments, the first position of adjustment member 230 canprovide for a relatively small, or short, staple forming height. Inother embodiments, although not illustrated, the first position of anadjustment member can provide for an intermediate, a relatively large,and/or any other suitable staple forming height. In the event that theforming height associated with the first position of the adjustmentmember is suitable, a surgeon can proceed to use the surgical staplinginstrument to staple and/or incise tissue as described above. In theevent, however, that the staple forming height is unsuitable, a surgeon,or other clinician, can move adjustment member 230 such that adjustmentmember 230 can permit anvil plate 134 to slide upwardly a differentdistance when anvil plate 134 contacts tissue positioned intermediateanvil 130 and staple cartridge 150. In at least one such circumstance,the distance in which anvil plate 134 is permitted to slide upwardly canbe larger, thereby providing a larger forming height for the staples.Correspondingly, in other circumstances, the adjustment member can bemoved such that anvil plate 134 can slide upwardly a shorter distancewhen anvil plate 134 contacts the tissue, for example, thereby providinga shorter staple forming height. While the term “upward”, and the like,can mean vertically upward, the term is not so limited; rather, “upward”can mean any direction which is toward the base of the anvil and/or awayfrom a staple cartridge, for example. In any event, adjustment member230 can be moved between its first position, illustrated in FIG. 21, anda second position, illustrated in FIG. 22, in order to increase thestaple forming height. As indicated by arrow “P” in FIG. 22, adjustmentmember 230 can be slid proximally in order to move adjustment member 230between its first and second positions, although embodiments areenvisioned where an adjustment member can be slid distally and/or anyother suitable direction in order to adjust adjustment member 230. Onceadjustment member 230 has been moved into its second position, referringto FIG. 22, first surface, or step, 231 can be positioned intermediatebase 138 and second positioning surface 146 of anvil plate 134. In sucha second position, first step 231 can once again define the amount ofrelative movement permitted between anvil plate 134 and anvil channel136. In at least one embodiment, similar to the above, adjusting member230 can act as a stop such that the distance between base 138 andtissue-contacting surface 148 on anvil plate 134 can be defined by asecond distance 235.

Further to the above, adjustment member 230 can be moved between itssecond position, illustrated in FIG. 22, and a third position,illustrated in FIG. 23, in order to once again increase the stapleforming height. As indicated by arrow “P” in FIG. 23, adjustment member230 can be slid proximally in order to move adjustment member 230between its second and third positions. Once adjustment member 230 hasbeen moved into its third position, referring to FIG. 23, first surface,or step, 231 can be positioned intermediate base 138 and thirdpositioning surface 147. In such a third position, first step 231 canonce again define the amount of relative movement between anvil plate134 and anvil channel 136. In at least one embodiment, similar to theabove, adjusting member 230 can act as a stop such that the distancebetween base 138 and tissue-contacting surface 148 on anvil plate 134can be defined by a third distance 236. While adjustment member 230 canbe selectively moved between three positions as described above toprovide three different staple forming heights, other embodiments areenvisioned which comprise an adjustment member which can be movedbetween more than three positions to provide more than three differentstaple forming heights. For example, an adjustment member can be movablebetween four positions in order to provide four staple forming heights.Further embodiments are envisioned which comprise an adjustment memberwhich can be moved between two positions to provide two staple formingheights. Furthermore, while surfaces, or steps, 231, 232, and 233 ofadjustment member 230 are arranged in a descending order, otherarrangements are envisioned in which the surfaces, or steps, arearranged in an ascending order. Other arrangements are envisioned inwhich the surfaces, or steps, are not necessarily arranged in either anascending or a descending order. Similarly, positioning surfaces 145,146, and 147 of anvil plate 134 can be arranged in an ascending order, adescending order (FIG. 20), and/or any other suitable order.Furthermore, while adjustment member 230 can be slid along an axis,other embodiments are envisioned where an adjustment member can be movedalong any suitable path such as curved and/or curvi-linear paths, forexample.

As described above, referring to FIG. 21, adjustment member 230 cancomprise three surfaces, or steps, 231, 232, and 233 while anvil plate134 can comprise three corresponding adjustment surfaces 145, 146, and147. When adjustment member 230 is in its first position, for example,first surface 231 can be positioned such that it abuts or is adjacent tofirst adjustment surface 145, second surface 232 can be positioned suchthat it abuts or is adjacent to second adjustment surface 146, and thirdsurface 233 can be positioned such that it abuts or is adjacent to thirdadjustment surface 147. As adjustment member 230 is slid relative toanvil plate 134, as described above and referring to FIGS. 22 and 23,surfaces 231, 232, and 233 of adjustment member 230 can be sequentiallyindexed relative to surfaces 145, 146, and 147 of anvil plate 134. In atleast one such embodiment, an adjustment member can have the same numberof steps as the number of positioning surfaces on an anvil plate. Otherembodiments are envisioned where an adjustment member has more stepsthan positioning surfaces on the anvil plate. In at least one suchembodiment, an anvil plate can include one positioning surface whereinthe steps of an adjustment member can be selectively utilized to limitthe upward movement of the anvil plate, for example. In variousembodiments, referring generally to adjustment member 230 and anvilplate 134, an anvil plate may include one positioning surface, such aspositioning surface 145, for example, where steps 231, 232, and 233 ofadjustment member 230, for example, can be selectively positionedintermediate base 138 and positioning surface 145. In such embodiments,first step 231 can have a first thickness or height which can stop, orlimit, the upward movement of anvil plate 134 so as to define a firststaple forming height, second step 232 can have a second thickness orheight which can stop, or limit, the upward movement of anvil plate 134so as to define a second staple forming height, and, in addition, thirdstep 233 can have a third thickness or height which can stop, or limit,the upward movement of anvil plate 134 so as to define a third stapleforming height. In at least one embodiment, the thickness or height ofsteps 231, 232, and/or 233 can be measured between a back surface 237 ofadjustment member 230 and a surface on the steps (231, 232, 233) whichwill contact anvil plate 134. In various embodiments, the difference inheight, or thickness, between first step 231 and second step 232 can bethe same, or at least substantially the same, as the difference inheight, or thickness, between second step 232 and third step 233. In atleast one such embodiment, as a result, the step heights can increase ata linear rate, or an at least substantially linear rate. In alternativeembodiments, the difference in height, or thickness, between the firstand second steps can be different than the difference in height, orthickness, between the second and the third steps. In at least one suchembodiment, the first, second, and third steps may not increase ordecrease in height, or thickness, at a linear rate; rather, although notillustrated, the steps may increase or decrease in height, or thickness,in a non-linear and/or geometric rate.

As described above, an adjustment member, such as adjustment member 230,for example, can be movable between two or more positions. In variousembodiments, a surgical stapling instrument can include an actuatorconfigured to move the adjustment member. In at least one embodiment,referring to FIGS. 17-20, surgical stapling instrument 100 can includeactuator 250 which can be operably attached to adjustment member 230such that a force can be applied to actuator 250 and transmitted toadjustment member 230. In certain embodiments, actuator 250 can includegrasping portions, or handles, 252 which can be configured to be graspedby a surgeon, for example, in order to advance or retract adjustmentmember 230 within anvil 130 as described above. In certain embodiments,grasping portions 252 can extend from actuator body 251, whereinactuator body 251 can include one or more apertures, slots, or cavities253 which can be configured to receive at least a portion of adjustmentmember 230. In at least one such embodiment, referring to FIG. 19,adjustment member 230 can include lock 254 extending therefrom, whereinat least a portion of lock 254 can be received within aperture 253 so asto retain actuator body 251 to adjustment member 230. In variousembodiments, lock 254 can include one or more resilient, or flexible,legs 255 which can be deflected when they are inserted into aperture 253but resiliently return, or at least partially return, to their unflexedposition after feet 256 of legs 255 are sufficiently pushed throughaperture 253. In at least one such embodiment, feet 256 can prevent, orat least inhibit, actuator body 251 from being detached from adjustmentmember 230.

In various embodiments, further to the above, surgical staplinginstrument 100 can further include a detent mechanism which can beconfigured to hold, or releasably hold, actuator 250 and/or adjustmentmember 230 in position. In at least one embodiment, referring to FIG.19, detent member 260 can be attached to actuator 250 wherein, in atleast some embodiments, actuator body 251 can include one or morechannels, grooves, or recesses 257 which can be configured to receiveand/or retain a detent body 261 of detent member 260 therein. In atleast one embodiment, detent body 261 can include one or more apertures263, and/or any other suitable channels, slots, or grooves, which can beconfigured to receive one or more fasteners for securing detent body 261to actuator 251, for example. Detent member 260 can further includedetent legs 262 which can be configured to engage one or more recesses,apertures, or grooves 101 (FIGS. 2-7) in first frame portion 110, forexample. More particularly, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, each side flange128 can include one or more recesses 101 (101 a, 101 b, and 101 c)defined therein wherein detent legs 262 can be biased into engagementwith the top surfaces of side flanges 128 such that detent legs 262 canbe slid into, and slid out of, recesses 101. In the illustratedembodiment, each side flange can include three recesses 101 which can beconfigured to removably hold actuator 250 in a first, distal position, asecond, intermediate position, and a third, proximal position, whereinthe first, second, and third positions of actuator 250 can respectivelycorrespond with the first, second, and third positions of adjustmentmember 230 described above. For example, when actuator 250 is in itsfirst, distal position, detent legs 262 of detent member 260 can bepositioned within recess 101 a so as to removably retain actuator 250and adjustment member 230 in their first positions. Upon the applicationof a sufficient force, actuator 250 can be moved proximally into itssecond position such that detent legs 162 are positioned within recess101 b and actuator 250 and adjustment member 230 are retained in theirsecond positions. Similarly, upon the application of a sufficient force,actuator 250 can be moved proximally into its third position such thatdetent legs 162 are positioned within recess 101 c and actuator 250 andadjustment member 230 are retained in their third positions. In variousembodiments, detent legs 162 can be configured such that actuator 250can be returned to its first and/or second positions.

As described above, adjustment member 230 can be moved along apre-determined path between two or more positions by actuator 250. Invarious embodiments, surgical stapling instrument 100, for example, caninclude one or more guides for controlling or limiting the movement ofadjustment member 230 and/or actuator 250. In some embodiments,adjustment member 230 can be closely received between side walls 137 ofanvil 130 such that side walls 137 can guide adjustment member 230. Inat least one such embodiment, side walls 137 can be configured tocontrol or limit the lateral or side-to-side movement of adjustmentmember 230. In various embodiments, detent legs 162 of detent member 160can comprise resilient members which can be configured to apply anupward biasing or pulling force on adjustment member 230 so as toposition adjustment member 230 against, or at least adjacent to, base138 and intermediate side walls 137. In certain embodiments, referringto FIG. 19, base 138 of anvil 130 can further include guide slot 149which can be configured to receive at least a portion of adjustmentmember 230 and/or actuator 250 therein such that guide slot 149 canlimit the movement of adjustment member 230 and actuator 250. In atleast one such embodiment, lock 254 of adjustment member 230 can beconfigured to extend through guide slot 149 such that, when lock 254 isinserted into aperture 253 of actuator 250 as described above, base 138of anvil 130 can be captured intermediate adjustment member 230 andactuator 250. In certain embodiments, guide slot 149 can be configuredto limit the movement of lock 254 such that adjustment member 230 can beprevented, or at least inhibited, from being moved distally whenadjustment member 230 is in its first, or distal-most, position and/or,similarly, prevented, or at least inhibited, from being moved proximallywhen adjustment member 230 is in its third, or proximal-most, position.

In various embodiments, further to the above, a detent member, similarto detent member 260, for example, can be utilized to bias first handleportion 102 and second handle portion 104 away from one another. In atleast one embodiment, referring to FIG. 37, surgical stapling instrument100′ can include a detent member 260′ configured to position firsthandle portion 102 and second handle portion 104 such that a gap existsbetween anvil 130 and staple cartridge 150. Such a feature, as outlinedabove, can allow a surgeon to easily manipulate the surgical instrumentwithout having to hold the first and second handle portions apart fromone another. In certain embodiments, detent member 260′ can besufficiently mounted to second handle portion 104 such that detent legs262′ extending from detent member 260′ can contact flanges 128 and, whencompressed, apply a biasing force to the first and second handleportions. As seen in FIG. 37, legs 262′ can contact surfaces 101 d onflanges 128. In order to compress detent legs 262′, latch mechanism 180can be moved into a partially-closed position such that latch arms 188can engage, and at least partially surround, latch projections 131. Inthis configuration, a surgeon can manipulate the instrument and, whensatisfied with its position, move latch mechanism 180 into a closedposition and further compress detent legs 262′. Similar to the above,detent member 260′ can be affixed, or otherwise operably engaged with,actuator 250 such that, when actuator 250 is moved between its first,second, and third positions as described above, legs 262′ can engagerecesses 101 a, 101 b, and 101 c, respectively. In at least one suchembodiment, as a result, actuator 250 can have a pre-staged position inwhich actuator 250 is positioned distally with respect to its firstposition and, in addition, surfaces 101 d can comprise pre-stagesurfaces against which legs 262′ can be positioned when actuator 250 isin its pre-staged position.

As outlined above, an adjustment member can be slid, or translated,between first and second positions so as to adjust the forming height ofstaples deployed by a surgical stapling instrument. In variousembodiments, although not illustrated, an adjustment member can beconfigured to positively displace an anvil plate toward and/or away froman opposing staple cartridge, for example. In at least one suchembodiment, a surgical stapling instrument can include one or morebiasing members, such as springs, for example, configured to positionthe anvil plate against the adjustment member such that, when theadjustment member is moved between its first and second positions, theadjustment member can displace the anvil plate between first and secondpositions in order to set first and second staple forming heights. Invarious embodiments, as a result of the above, an adjustment member canbe configured to cam a portion of an anvil into position. In at leastone such embodiment, an adjustment member can be slid along an axis inorder to positively displace an anvil plate. In other embodiments, arotatable adjustment member can be configured to positively displace ananvil plate toward and/or away from a staple cartridge, for example.

Further to the above, as described in greater detail below, anadjustment member can be rotated to adjust the staple forming height.Referring to FIGS. 24-36, surgical instrument 100′ can include, similarto the above, a first handle portion 102′, a second handle portion 104′,and a latching mechanism 180′ which can be utilized to clamp tissueintermediate anvil 130′ and staple cartridge 150′. Referring to FIG. 25,also similar to the above, latching mechanism 180′ can be pivotablycoupled to first portion 102′ by one or more pivot pins 182′, whereinlatching mechanism 180′ can include one or more latch arms 188′ whichcan be configured to engage second portion 104′ and latch the first andsecond handle portions together. Also similar to the above, referring toFIGS. 25 and 27, surgical instrument 100′ can further include pusher barassembly 200′ which can be configured to advance a cutting member and/orstaple sled within end-effector 120′. In at least one such embodiment,pusher bar assembly 200′ can include a proximal end 203′ and an actuator204′, wherein actuator 204′ can be rotatably mounted to proximal end203′ and selectively positioned on first and second sides of staplinginstrument 100′. In various embodiments, surgical stapling instrument100′ can comprise the same, or similar, features to those described inconnection with surgical stapling instrument 100 and can be operated inthe same manner, or a similar manner, as instrument 100 and, as aresult, such details are not repeated herein.

In various embodiments, referring to FIG. 27, surgical instrument 100′can include a rotatable adjustment member 230′ which can be selectivelypositioned in at least first and second positions so as to providedifferent staple forming heights. In certain embodiments, surgicalinstrument 100′ can include an actuator 250′ which can be operablyconnected to adjustment member 230′ such that actuator 250′ can moveadjustment member 230′ between at least its first and second positions.In at least one embodiment, referring to FIG. 28, actuator 250′ caninclude actuator body 251′ and grasping portion, or handle, 252′.Actuator body 251′ can include an aperture 258′ which can be configuredto receive a proximal end 238′ of adjustment member 230′ such thatrotational motion, torque, and/or forces can be transmitted betweenactuator 250′ and adjustment member 230′. In at least one suchembodiment, referring to FIG. 36, aperture 258′ can comprise anon-circular profile and/or a profile which includes one or more flatdrive surfaces configured to transmit rotational motion between actuatorbody 251′ and actuator 230′. In certain embodiments, aperture 258′ canbe sized and configured to closely receive proximal end 238′ of actuator230′. In at least one embodiment, aperture 258′ can be configured toreceive proximal end 238′ in a press-fit and/or snap-fit arrangement. Invarious embodiments, referring again to FIG. 28, handle portion 104′ caninclude one or more slots 259′ which can be configured to permit atleast a portion of actuator body 251′ to extend therethrough such thatgrasping portion 252′ can be assembled to actuator body 251′ with atleast a portion of handle portion 104′ positioned therebetween. In atleast one such embodiment, second handle portion 104′ can furtherinclude recess 253′ which can be configured such that at least aportion, if not all, of grasping portion 252′ is positioned withinrecess 253′. In certain embodiments, recess 253′ can be configured suchthat grasping portion 252′ does not extend above the top surface ofsecond handle portion 104′ although, in other embodiments, an upperportion of grasping portion 252′ can extend above second handle portion104, as illustrated in FIG. 30, such that grasping portion 252′ can beeasily accessed by a surgeon.

In various embodiments, as outlined above, an adjustment member can berotatable between at least first and second positions in order to adjustthe forming height of staples deployed by a surgical stapler. In certainembodiments, referring to FIG. 28, a surgical stapling instrument caninclude an adjustment member rotatably positioned within an anvilwherein the adjustment member can be configured to limit the relativemovement of a movable anvil portion. In at least one such embodiment,surgical stapling instrument 100′ can include an anvil plate 134′ whichcan be slidably retained within anvil channel 136′ by retention, orguide, pins 140′, wherein guide pins 140′ can be configured to allowanvil plate 134′ to slide upwardly when anvil plate 134′ comes intocontact with tissue as described above. Referring to FIGS. 27, 30, and31, adjustment member 230′ can be positionable in a first position, ororientation, such that it can limit the upward movement of anvil plate134′ within anvil channel 136′ and dictate the staple forming height ofthe staples. In at least one such embodiment, referring to FIGS. 30 and31, adjustment member 230′ can include opposing first surfaces 231′which can be positioned intermediate base 138′ of anvil channel 136′ andpositioning surface 145′ of anvil plate 134′ such that, when positioningsurface 145′ contacts one of first surfaces 231′, tissue-contactingsurface 148′ of anvil plate 134′ can be positioned a first distance 234′away from a datum surface 129′ on anvil 130′, for example.Correspondingly, forming surfaces 132′ can be positioned a firstdistance away from a staple cartridge such that, when staples aredeployed from the staple cartridge, the staples can be deformed to afirst staple height. Further to the above, a first diameter 241′ can bedefined between first surfaces 231′ wherein the first diameter 241′ candefine the maximum upward position of anvil plate 134′ within anvilchannel 136′.

As indicated above, adjustment member 230′ can be rotated in order toadjust the forming height of the staples. In various embodiments,adjustment member 230′ can be rotated between its first position, ororientation, (FIGS. 30 and 31) and a second position, or orientation(FIGS. 32 and 33). In at least one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 32 and33, handle 252′ can be rotated in a direction indicated by arrow “A” inorder to move adjustment member 230′ between its first and secondpositions. Similar to the above, when actuator 230′ is in its secondposition, or orientation, actuator 230′ can limit the upward movement ofanvil plate 134′ within anvil channel 136′ and dictate the stapleforming height of the staples. In at least one such embodiment,referring to FIGS. 32 and 33, adjustment member 230′ can includeopposing second surfaces 232′ which can be positioned intermediate base138′ and positioning surface 145′ such that, when positioning surface145′ contacts one of second surfaces 232′, tissue-contacting surface148′ of anvil plate 134′ can be positioned a second distance 235′ awayfrom datum surface 129′, for example. Correspondingly, forming surfaces132′ can be positioned a second distance away from a staple cartridgesuch that, when staples are deployed from the staple cartridge, thestaples can be deformed to a second staple height. In variousembodiments, similar to the above, a second diameter 242′ can be definedbetween second surfaces 232′, wherein second diameter 242′ can definethe maximum upward position of anvil plate 134′ within anvil channel136′. Although first surfaces 231′ and second surfaces 232′ can bedefined by flat, or at least substantially flat, surfaces, otherembodiments are envisioned in which the first and second surfaces 231′and 232′ can include at least partially arcuate, or curved, contours. Inany event, referring to FIG. 27, adjustment member 230′ may include oneor more clearance slots 240′ which can be configured to provideclearance between actuator 230′ and retention pins 140′. Clearance slots240′ can be configured to provide clearance between actuator 230′ andretention pins 140′ when actuator 230′ is in its first position, secondposition, and/or any other suitable position.

In various embodiments, further to the above, adjustment member 230′ canbe rotated between its first position, or orientation, (FIGS. 30 and 31)and a third position, or orientation (FIGS. 34 and 35). In at least oneembodiment, referring to FIGS. 34 and 35, handle 252′ can be rotated ina direction indicated by arrow “B” in order to move adjustment member230′ between its first and third positions. Similar to the above, whenactuator 230′ is in its third position, or orientation, actuator 230′can limit the upward movement of anvil plate 134′ within anvil channel136′ and dictate the staple forming height of the staples. In at leastone such embodiment, referring to FIGS. 34 and 35, adjustment member230′ can include opposing third surfaces 233′ which can be positionedintermediate base 138′ and positioning surface 145′ such that, whenpositioning surface 145′ contacts one of third surfaces 233′,tissue-contacting surface 148′ of anvil plate 134′ can be positioned athird distance 236′ away from datum surface 129′, for example.Correspondingly, forming surfaces 132′ can be positioned a thirddistance away from a staple cartridge such that, when staples aredeployed from the staple cartridge, the staples can be deformed to athird staple height. In various embodiments, similar to the above, athird diameter 243′ can be defined between third surfaces 233′, whereinthird diameter 243′ can define the maximum upward position of anvilplate 134′ within anvil channel 136′. Referring once again to FIGS. 34and 35, third surfaces 233′ can be defined by an at least partiallyarcuate contour, although other embodiments are envisioned in whichthird surfaces 233′ can include flat, or at least substantially flat,contours. In at least one embodiment, adjustment member 230′ can beconfigured such that the largest distance, or diameter, between thearcuate third surfaces 233′ can be utilized to define the third stapleheight.

As described above, referring to FIGS. 30 and 31, adjustment member 230′can be positioned in a first position, or orientation, to set a firstforming height for the staples deployed by surgical stapling instrument100′. As also described above, referring to FIGS. 32 and 33, actuator250′ can be utilized to move adjustment member 230′ into its secondposition, or orientation, to set a second forming height for thestaples. To do this, in at least one embodiment, a force can be appliedto handle 252′ which can cause handle 252′, and adjustment member 230′attached thereto, to rotate in a direction indicated by arrow “A”. In atleast one embodiment, adjustment member 230′ and/or actuator 250′ can besufficiently retained such that, when adjustment member 230′ is rotated,adjustment member 230′ can be rotated about an axis, such as axis 245′(FIG. 27), for example. In at least one embodiment, referring to FIG.25, the proximal end 203′ of pusher bar assembly 200′ can include one ormore grooves, channels, or recesses 205′ which can be configured toreceive and/or retain at least a portion of adjustment member 230′and/or actuator 250′ therein. In any event, as illustrated in FIGS.30-33, the second position, or orientation, of adjustment member 230′can allow anvil plate 134′ to slide a larger distance within anvilchannel 136′ as compared to when adjustment member 230′ is in its firstposition. In at least one embodiment, as a result, the second stapleforming height can be larger than the first staple forming height. Asalso described above, referring to FIGS. 34 and 35, actuator 250′ can beutilized to move adjustment member 230′ into its third position, ororientation, to set a third forming height for the staples. To do this,in at least one embodiment, a force can be applied to handle 252′ whichcan cause handle 252′, and adjustment member 230′ attached thereto, torotate in a direction indicated by arrow “B”. As illustrated in FIGS.30, 31, 34, and 35, the third position, or orientation, of adjustmentmember 230′ can allow anvil plate 134′ to slide a smaller distancewithin anvil channel 136′ as compared to when adjustment member 230′ isin its first position. In at least one embodiment, as a result, thefirst and second staple forming heights can be larger than the thirdstaple forming height. In at least one such embodiment, the firstposition of adjustment member 230′, and actuator 250′, can represent anintermediate position, wherein adjustment member 230′ can be selectivelymoved into its second and third positions directly from its firstposition. In effect, the first position of adjustment member 230′ canrepresent an intermediate staple height, wherein the second and thirdstaple positions of adjustment member 230′ can represent taller andshorter staple heights, respectively. In certain embodiments, referringto FIG. 24, surgical stapling instrument 100′ can include one or moreindicia thereon which can be configured to convey the staple formingheights, or at least relative forming heights, that can be selected. Forexample, second handle portion 104′ can include a first indicium 245′which can indicate an intermediate, or first, staple height, a secondindicium 246′ which can indicate a taller, or second, staple height,and, in addition, a third indicium 247′ which can indicate a shorter, orthird, staple height.

In various embodiments, further to the above, one or more of firstsurfaces 231′, second surfaces 232′, and third surfaces 233′ cancomprise or define, or at least partially comprise or define, aperimeter, or circumference, of adjustment member 230′. As discussedabove, owing to the first, second, and third diameters (241′, 242′, and243′) defined by the first, second, and third surfaces (231′, 232′, and233′), respectively, the perimeter, or circumference, of adjustmentmember 230′ may be non-circular. In certain embodiments, though, theperimeter, or circumference of adjustment member 230′, may besymmetrical, substantially symmetrical, and/or non-symmetrical. Invarious embodiments, further to the above, an adjustment member cancomprise a cam rotatably positioned intermediate base 138′ of anvil 130′and adjustment surface 145′ of anvil plate 134′, for example. In atleast one such embodiment, one or more of first surfaces 231′, secondsurfaces 232′, and third surfaces 233′, for example, can comprise ordefine a cam profile which, similar to the above, can be configured toeither positively position anvil plate 134′ and/or provide a stopagainst which anvil plate 134′ can be positioned. In any event, althoughnot illustrated, various embodiments are envisioned in which anadjustment member can be slid and rotated in order to set two or morestaple forming heights for staples deployed by a surgical staplinginstrument. In at least one such embodiment, an adjustment member cancomprise a cam profile which can be defined along the length of theadjustment member wherein longitudinal and/or rotational movement can beutilized to move the cam profile between at least first and secondpositions.

In various embodiments, similar to the above, surgical instrument 100′can further include a detent mechanism configured to hold, or at leastreleasably hold, actuator 250′ in position. In at least one embodiment,referring to FIGS. 25 and 26, surgical instrument 100′ can furtherinclude detent member 260′ comprising detent body 261′ and one or moredetent legs 262′. Referring to FIG. 26, detent body 261′ can include oneor more grooves, recesses, or channels 263′ which can be configured toreceive at least a portion of proximal end 105′ of second handle portion104′ therein such that detent member 260′ can be retained in position.In at least one such embodiment, proximal end 105′ can further includeone or more grooves, channels, or recesses 265′ which can be configuredto closely receive detent member 260′. In certain embodiments, at leasta portion of detent body 261′, such as channel 263′, for example, can bepress-fit, snap-fit, and/or otherwise suitably retained in recess 265′.As also illustrated in FIG. 26, each detent leg 262′ of detent member260′ can include one or more projections 264′ extending therefrom whichcan be configured to engage actuator body 251′ and releasably holdactuator 250′ in position. In at least one embodiment, referring to FIG.36, actuator body 251′ can include one or more recesses, or holes, 269′which can be configured to receive a projection 264′. When a projection264′ is positioned within recess 269′, the projection can be configuredto hold actuator 250′ in its first position, for example, until asufficient force is applied to actuator 250′ so as to cause theprojection 264′ to be displaced out of recess 269′. More particularly,the force applied to actuator 250′ can be transmitted to the projection264′ and, owing to cooperating surfaces between the projection 264′ andrecess 269′, the detent leg 262′ associated with the projection 264′ canbe flexed or moved proximally to allow actuator body 251′ to be movedrelative thereto. In order to accommodate such proximal movement,referring to FIG. 25, recess 265′ can include elongate portions 266′which can each be configured to receive at least a portion of legs 262′such that legs 262′ can move relative to handle portion 104′. Asactuator 250′ is moved into either its second or third position,actuator body 251′ can contact a projection 264′ extending from anotherleg 262′ and deflect the leg 262′ proximally such that, once actuator250′ is in its second or third positions, the leg 262′ can springforward, or distally, such that the projection 264′ can be securedwithin recess 269′. In at least one embodiment, further to the above,the interaction between projections 264′ and the sidewalls of recess269′ can be such that actuator 250′ can be securely held in one of itsfirst, second, and third positions, for example, yet permit actuator250′ to be moved upon a sufficient application of force. In suchembodiments, the detent member 260′ can prevent, or at least inhibit,actuator 250′ and, correspondingly, adjustment member 230′ from beingunintentionally displaced.

The devices disclosed herein can be designed to be disposed of after asingle use, or they can be designed to be used multiple times. In eithercase, however, the device can be reconditioned for reuse after at leastone use. Reconditioning can include any combination of the steps ofdisassembly of the device, followed by cleaning or replacement ofparticular pieces, and subsequent reassembly. In particular, the devicecan be disassembled, and any number of the particular pieces or parts ofthe device can be selectively replaced or removed in any combination.Upon cleaning and/or replacement of particular parts, the device can bereassembled for subsequent use either at a reconditioning facility, orby a surgical team immediately prior to a surgical procedure. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that reconditioning of a device canutilize a variety of techniques for disassembly, cleaning/replacement,and reassembly. Use of such techniques, and the resulting reconditioneddevice, are all within the scope of the present application.

Preferably, the invention described herein will be processed beforesurgery. First, a new or used instrument is obtained and if necessarycleaned. The instrument can then be sterilized. In one sterilizationtechnique, the instrument is placed in a closed and sealed container,such as a plastic or TYVEK bag. The container and instrument are thenplaced in a field of radiation that can penetrate the container, such asgamma radiation, x-rays, or high-energy electrons. The radiation killsbacteria on the instrument and in the container. The sterilizedinstrument can then be stored in the sterile container. The sealedcontainer keeps the instrument sterile until it is opened in the medicalfacility.

While this invention has been described as having exemplary designs, thepresent invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope ofthe disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover anyvariations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its generalprinciples. Further, this application is intended to cover suchdepartures from the present disclosure as come within known or customarypractice in the art to which this invention pertains.

1. A surgical stapler, comprising: a handle; a staple cartridge channelconfigured to receive a staple cartridge; and an anvil assembly,comprising: an anvil channel; an anvil plate comprising a positioningsurface and a staple forming surface; and an adjustment member movablypositionable intermediate said anvil channel and said anvil plate,wherein said adjustment member has a first portion having a firstthickness and a second portion having a second thickness, wherein saidsecond thickness is different than said first thickness, and whereinsaid adjustment member is movable between a first position and a secondposition to selectively position one of said first portion and saidsecond portion intermediate said anvil channel and said positioningsurface of said anvil plate.
 2. The surgical stapler of claim 1, whereinsaid adjustment member has a third portion having a third thickness,wherein said third thickness is different than said first thickness andsaid second thickness, and wherein said adjustment member is movableinto a third position to position said third portion intermediate saidanvil channel and said positioning surface of said anvil plate.
 3. Thesurgical stapler of claim 1, wherein said adjustment member isconfigured to be slid along an axis between said first position, saidsecond position, and said third position.
 4. The surgical stapler ofclaim 1, wherein said anvil plate is movably retained to said anvilchannel.
 5. The surgical stapler of claim 4, wherein one of said anvilchannel and said anvil plate includes at least one retention pinextending therefrom, wherein the other of said anvil channel and saidanvil plate includes at least one retention slot, and wherein saidretention pin is slidably positioned within said retention slot suchthat said anvil plate can slide relative to said anvil channel along apredetermined path.
 6. The surgical stapler of claim 1, furthercomprising an actuator operably engaged with said adjustment member,wherein said actuator includes at least one grasping portion configuredto receive a force thereto and transmit the force to said adjustmentmember.
 7. A surgical stapler, comprising: a handle; a staple cartridgechannel configured to receive a staple cartridge; and an anvil assembly,said anvil assembly comprising: an anvil channel; an anvil comprising apositioning surface and a staple forming surface; and an adjustmentmember movably positionable intermediate said anvil channel and saidanvil, wherein said adjustment member has a first step having a firstheight and a second step having a second height, wherein said secondheight is different than said first height, and wherein said adjustmentmember is movable between a first position and a second position toselectively position one of said first step and said second stepintermediate said anvil channel and said positioning surface of saidanvil.
 8. The surgical stapler of claim 7, wherein said adjustmentmember has a third step having a third height, wherein said third heightis different than said first height and said second height, and whereinsaid adjustment member is movable into a third position to position saidthird step intermediate said anvil channel and said positioning surfaceof said anvil.
 9. The surgical stapler of claim 8, wherein saidadjustment member is configured to be slid along an axis between saidfirst position, said second position, and said third position.
 10. Thesurgical stapler of claim 7, wherein said anvil is movably retained tosaid anvil channel.
 11. The surgical stapler of claim 10, wherein one ofsaid anvil channel and said anvil includes at least one retention pinextending therefrom, wherein the other of said anvil channel and saidanvil includes at least one retention slot, and wherein said retentionpin is slidably positioned within said retention slot such that saidanvil can slide relative to said anvil channel along a predeterminedpath.
 12. The surgical stapler of claim 7, further comprising anactuator operably engaged with said adjustment member, wherein saidactuator includes at least one grasping portion configured to receive aforce thereto and transmit the force to said adjustment member.
 13. Asurgical stapler, comprising: a handle; a staple cartridge channelconfigured to receive a staple cartridge; and an anvil assembly, saidanvil assembly comprising: an anvil channel; an anvil comprising apositioning surface and a staple forming surface; and an adjustmentmember movably positioned intermediate said anvil channel and saidanvil, wherein said adjustment member has a first diameter and a seconddiameter, wherein said second diameter is different than said firstdiameter, and wherein said adjustment member is rotatable between afirst position and a second position to selectively position one of saidfirst diameter and said second diameter intermediate said anvil channeland said positioning surface of said anvil.
 14. The surgical stapler ofclaim 13, wherein said first diameter and said second diameter define atleast portions of a circumference of said adjustment member.
 15. Thesurgical stapler of claim 13, wherein said adjustment member has a thirddiameter which is different that first diameter and said seconddiameter, and wherein said adjustment member is rotatable into a thirdposition to position said third diameter intermediate said anvil channeland said positioning surface of said anvil.
 16. The surgical stapler ofclaim 15, wherein said first diameter, said second diameter, and saidthird diameter define at least portions of a circumference of saidadjustment member.
 17. The surgical stapler of claim 15, wherein saidadjustment member is configured to be rotated about an axis between saidfirst position, said second position, and said third position.
 18. Thesurgical stapler of claim 15, wherein said first diameter is larger thansaid second diameter, wherein said third diameter is larger than saidfirst diameter, wherein said adjustment member is rotatable in a firstdirection to move said adjustment member from said first position tosaid second position, and wherein said adjustment member is rotatable ina different direction to move said adjustment member from said firstposition to said third position.
 19. The surgical stapler of claim 13,further comprising a detent mechanism configured to releasably hold saidadjustment member in at least one of said first position and said secondposition.
 20. The surgical stapler of claim 13, wherein said anvil ismovably retained to said anvil channel.
 21. The surgical stapler ofclaim 20, wherein one of said anvil channel and said anvil includes atleast one retention pin extending therefrom, wherein the other of saidanvil channel and said anvil includes at least one retention slot, andwherein said retention pin is slidably positioned within said retentionslot such that said anvil can slide relative to said anvil channel alonga predetermined path.
 22. The surgical stapler of claim 13, furthercomprising an actuator operably engaged with said adjustment member,wherein said actuator includes at least one grasping portion configuredto receive a force thereto and transmit the force to said adjustmentmember.
 23. A surgical stapler, comprising: a handle; a staple cartridgechannel configured to receive a staple cartridge; and an anvil assembly,said anvil assembly comprising: an anvil channel; an anvil comprising apositioning surface and a staple forming surface; and a cam rotatablypositioned intermediate said anvil channel and said anvil, wherein saidcam has a first diameter and a second diameter, wherein said seconddiameter is different than said first diameter, and wherein said cam isrotatable between a first position and a second position to selectivelyposition one of said first diameter and said second diameterintermediate said anvil channel and said positioning surface of saidanvil.
 24. The surgical stapler of claim 23, wherein said first diameterand said second diameter define at least portions of a cam profile. 25.The surgical stapler of claim 23, wherein said cam has a third diameterwhich is different that first diameter and said second diameter, andwherein said cam is rotatable into a third position to position saidthird diameter intermediate said anvil channel and said positioningsurface of said anvil.
 26. The surgical stapler of claim 25, whereinsaid first diameter, said second diameter, and said third diameterdefine at least portions of a cam profile.
 27. The surgical stapler ofclaim 25, wherein said cam is configured to be rotated about an axisbetween said first position, said second position, and said thirdposition.
 28. The surgical stapler of claim 25, wherein said firstdiameter is larger than said second diameter, wherein said thirddiameter is larger than said first diameter, wherein said cam isrotatable in a first direction to move said cam from said first positionto said second position, and wherein said cam is rotatable in adifferent direction to move said cam from said first position to saidthird position.
 29. The surgical stapler of claim 23, further comprisinga detent mechanism configured to releasably hold said cam in at leastone of said first position and said second position.
 30. The surgicalstapler of claim 23, wherein said anvil is movably retained to saidanvil channel.
 31. The surgical stapler of claim 30, wherein one of saidanvil channel and said anvil includes at least one retention pinextending therefrom, wherein the other of said anvil channel and saidanvil includes at least one retention slot, and wherein said retentionpin is slidably positioned within said retention slot such that saidanvil can slide relative to said anvil channel along a predeterminedpath.
 32. The surgical stapler of claim 23, further comprising anactuator operably engaged with said cam, wherein said actuator includesat least one grasping portion configured to receive a force thereto andtransmit the force to said cam.
 33. A surgical stapler, comprising: ahandle; a staple cartridge channel configured to receive a staplecartridge ejection means for ejecting staples from the staple cartridge;and an anvil assembly, comprising: an anvil channel; an anvil plateincluding staple forming means for forming staples; and adjustment meansfor adjusting the position of said anvil plate relative to said anvilchannel so that the formed height of staples deployed from the staplecartridge can be varied between a larger formed height and a smallerformed height.